When You Need More Than a Sump Pump

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Flooded business after storm in The Woodlands, TX

Your basement’s sump pump is perfect to keep out excess water in most situations, but it is not a heavy lifter. It can handle a burst pipe or a little rainwater, but it is no match for the problems that come with storm related flooding in The Woodlands,TX .

Here are the top four reasons this equipment fails:

1. Mechanical or design failure. This can include poor installation of the pump and drainage system, or just the wrong size pump for your space. Clogs and freezing can also cause mechanical failures.
2. No electricity. When the whole neighborhood loses electricity in a storm, your pump isn’t going to be removing anything until power is restored.
3. Too much water. Water over your knees is too much volume for the average basement pump and drainage system.
4. Debris in the water. A sump pump is easily clogged by the heavy debris and soil that come with storm flooding.

So what do you do when you have a flood and need to remove more than 2 feet of contaminated water from your basement? You really need multiple types of reliable machines to help you remove water fast. Fortunately, that’s one of the many benefits of using a professional restoration company after a storm. They have all the necessary water removing equipment, including:

• Heavy vacuums and pumps for when you need to move a large amount of water. The most powerful of these are mounted on trucks, using long hoses to reach challenging places.
• An industrial-strength trash pump that can handle all the mud, sticks and rubbish that are hiding in flood water. Without the interruption of clogs, these play a critical role in speedy water removal.

With truck mounted equipment and alternative power sources, professional flood mitigators can drive to your home and start the job right away. Quick water removal will help prevent further damage and increase your chances of salvage and restoration.